Highland Council Planning & Development Service Access Team have secured £585,000 of funding (with 45% from the Highland LEADER Programme) to provide a programme of Core Path Improvements across Highland, over three years, targeted at Community Councils and other community groups. We would like to invite your Community Council to apply to this exciting scheme if you have suitable projects.
Core Paths were identified after 3 years of extensive consultation with communities landowners and organisations. Maps showing where these Core Paths are located can be viewed by going to the Core Path Network Plans page.
Applications can be for projects big and small, everything from a gate or short section of drainage up to full path construction. The Core Path Improvement Scheme is expected to deliver a minimum of 45 projects over the 3 years at an average cost per project of £13,000. Funding is available throughout Highland apart from the Cairngorm National Park (which has a separate LEADER Programme) and within the Inverness city (which is ineligible for LEADER funding).
The application form can be found here (674kb pdf) and guidance notes can be found here (76kb pdf). The Application form should be completed and returned to your local Access Officer. Applications will be assessed and decisions given as soon as possible thereafter. The scheme is likely to be over-subscribed. Unsuccessful applications in the first round will be carried over to the subsequent bidding round in the second and likewise in the third and final year. Please apply as soon as possible.
If you would like more details or to discuss potential projects please contact your area Access Officer.
In parallel with the above scheme, Access Officers are carrying out a programme of signposting on core paths where required. This programme of sign installation has begun in some areas and will commence in all remaining areas later in the year, again if you would like to know more please contact your Access Officer.